Petition circulates to bring farmers market to Ambler Borough

AMBLER — Local organizers are working hard to try to bring a farmers market to the Ambler community, and support behind the project has grown so quickly, the fruits of their labor may be beginning to blossom.

When Karen Palmer began working to try bring a farmers market to the Ambler community, she said it came from the fact that there is no place to buy produce in Ambler, let alone locally grown produce.

Working with a group called Farm to City, which unites communities with local farmers and helps provide locally grown food, Palmer said while they are still in the early stages of development, progress is coming along nicely.

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Farm to City requires communities interested in farmers markets to provide a business plan as to how the market would work, three possible locations and evidence of public support for a farmers market.

Palmer said the team behind the project began an online petition and survey to see if it could generate interest in the project and the response has been overwhelming.

The petition has more than 300 signatures and 80 percent of the signatures have a comment attached supporting the project, which Palmer said is “really very cool.”

The survey includes questions about shopping habits and asks if residents would shop at a new store in order to get their produce, she said. It allows Farm to City to see what demographics could become potential clientele and if there really is public interest in a market throughout the community.

One highlight of the market would see specific farmers selling their crops every week, according to Palmer. This offers a predictability factor for customers who will know who will be there and when they will be there.

Gene McGonagle, of Ambler Main Street and owner of the Ambler Flower Show, said the idea of a farmers market appeals to the whole community. He said while various vendors have popped up in the past offering a similar product, a facility with consistent hours would allow the concept to grow and be different by allowing a personal connection.

Right now, McGonagle said he hopes to obtain grant money or money due to endorsements from various nonprofit organizations as a way of showing how committed the borough is in seeing this project become a reality.

Both Palmer and McGonagle said they have seen unofficial support from Ambler Borough Council, which they said is always supportive of things new and exciting.

“Mary Aversa and council are super supporters,” McGonagle said.

While the three possible locations for the market have been chosen, Palmer said she wants to wait until she hears from Farm to City before they can make any official announcements. For now, she expects to have a decision from Farm to City by the beginning of November.

To sign the petition and become involved in the project, visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/amblerfarmersmarket.